Changes of the Gastric Motility after Pylorus Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: To evaluate delayed gastric emptying after a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, we studied gastric motility in 11 normal volunteers and 11 patients who had undergone a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Additionally, the 24 hour esophageal Ph recordings were examined to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux after a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Gastric motility was evaluated by using the gastric-emptying time and electrogastrograms. The gastric-emptying time was measured using a solid meal containing 99mTc-tin colloid. The half gastric-emptying time (GET1/2) was defined as the half time (T1/2) of the fall of gastric isotopic activity from the peak. Electrogastrogram (EGG) signals were detected from the surface electrodes on the skin overlying the gastric antrum. The 24-hour esophageal Ph was monitored by using a nasoesophageal probe placed in the distal esophagus 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. RESULTS: In our study, the normal volunteers showed a 99+/-35 minute half gastric-emptying time. The patients were divided into two groups by a time of 2 months after the operation, early and late postoperative groups. Delayed gastric emptying after a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in the early postoperative period (272+/-176 minutes) was normalized in the late period (106+/-37 minutes), p=0.020. Abnormal early EGG patterns also normalized in the late postoperative period. There was no significant difference of total Ph<4-time % between patients in the early (0.1+/-0.1%) and the late postoperative periods (0.4+/-0.4%), p=0.064. CONCLUSIONS: It is supposed that anatomical and functional preservation of the stomach and the proximal part of the duodenum after a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy enabled gastric motor activity to be normal in the late postoperative period.

In vivo Assessment for the Antioxidant Activity of the Calcium Channel Blocker Nicardipine in 3% Sodium-Taurocholate-induced Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Although several pathophysiological sequences, such as protease activation, free radical generation, and inflammatory mediator release, have been described in acute pancreatitis, the precise mechanism by which acute pancreatitis is initiated is unkown. Cellular calcium, a key function and also a crucial pathological intracellular messenger in cell injury, appears to be involved in the initiation and development of acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of cellular calcium and therapeutic effect of administering the Ca++ channel blocker nicadipine as an antioxidant. METHOD:Nicardipine, known to be a calcium channel blocker and a most potent antioxidant, was wed as a pretreatment 1 hour before induction of pancreatitis by intraductal infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate or as a post-treatment 1 hour after induction of aucte pancreatitis by retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate. The net weight of the pancrease, the amounts of s-amylse, GSH and MDA in the pancreatic tissue, and the histologic damage were examined 12 hours after the induction of pancreatitis. RESULTS: Nicardipine administration ameliorated pancreatic edema and reduced the amount of s-amylase compare to untreated necrotizing pancreatitis group. Also, pre- or post-treatment with nicardipine had beneficial protective effect with respect to free radical-induced injury; in particular, pre-treatment with nicardipine was much better. With respect to the histologic findings, pancreatic necrosis, hemorrhage, and neutrophil infiltration were prominent in the necrotizing group, however, in the group treated with nicardipine, the necrosis and hemorrhage were ameliorated remarkably. CONCLUSION:The free oxygen radicals and the intracellular calcium influx were major elements in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, and nicardipine ameliorated pancreatic necrosis and hemorrage and exerted an antioxidant effect. The administration of nicardipine should be considered in the early stage of pancreatitis or in case of risk of pancreatitis.

Appendicocecal Intussusception : A case report

The appendix has been reported to be a very rare leading point in intussusception. Therefore, preoperative diagnosis can rarely be made. We experienced one case of appendicocecal intussusception in a 2-year-old girl. An air contrast study done during air reduction suggested a cecal mass, and a saline filled sonogram showed a polypoid lesion in the cecum. The lesion turned out to be an intussuscepted appendix in appendicocecal intussusception.